The minister made the comments during a March 3, 2022, update on COVID-19 in the territory.

Hon Malone reminded that the VI has Pfizer available for the pediatric doses, for first and second doses as well as for booster shots.

“We have to encourage our vulnerable persons, to continue to be vaccinated, those with chronic disease our elderly, my senior gems, those persons 5-11 can now take advantage of the pediatric doses. We must continue to encourage this.”

Hon Malone also reminded that primary schools with students from ages 5-11 are being urged to schedule a visit for vaccinations by the local health team.

“They will come to the schools. Get as many students that the parents allow to get vaccinated and they will come to you so that you won’t have to go down to any of the centers. We are also looking at ways to accommodate groups of persons on the sister islands,” he said.

Hon Malone added that it is critical that VI continues to rebuild its local economies as hotels are beginning to fill up and yacht charters are beginning to fill up.

VI must continue to rebuild their economy – Hon Malone

Hon Malone added that it is critical that VI continues to rebuild its local economies as hotels are beginning to fill up and yacht charters are beginning to fill up.

“We have the cruise industry on the move. We have had a resurgence in terms of economics. This can be sustained if we continue to do what we need to do. We are clearly not out of the woods as yet, but we are close to the edge.”

Hon Carvin Malone added, “We are on our way back and we would like to thank you very much for all that you have done and all that you continue to do to keep the Virgin Islands safe,” he said.

The Health Minister added that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently has the VI at level four and for the VI to move to level one, sustenance of a low level of active cases is needed in the VI.